Rare Kiwi born in New Zealand zoo

The flightless bird’s unusual colouring gave keepers at Pukaha Mount Bruce Wildlife Centre, New Zealand, a white Christmas when it hatched in their nursery. Both of its parents are believed to have carried a rare and recessive white gene which caused his pure white feathers. Local Maori have named the chick Mauriora, meaning sustained life, the New Zealand Herald reported. Centre manager Kathy Houkamau said: ‘We were gob-smacked when we saw it was white’ and described it as a ‘delightful gift, especially at this time of the year’.–MO